The famous literary critic, author of popular books, hundreds of actual articles, television cycles, profound researcher and subtle stylist, winner of the prestigious awards Lev Anninsky believes that the best of his works is “Ivanov’s Life”, the documentary novel about his family history. He is convinced that “the literary process in Russia is inseparably linked to the tragic history of our country, and the future mankind will remember alternately heroic and tragic side of this history, depending on what will be hurting humanity at the moment.” The place of Russia and Russians in the changing world, international relations at different historical stages, Russian history and culture in the context of contemporary historical moment, why the great Russian literature “was, and is not existing and cannot exist today ” – all the above in the interview of Lev Anninsky to Alexander Ageev and Alexander Isayev.

Families of Russified French people in 1930’s faced a monstrous baseness of authorities. The flourishing of art during this period was accompanied by numerous arrests. Many people had to work in prison.